rank 1 of 3

verb

Definition of ranknext
1
as in to be
to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes my favorite pitcher ranks first in the league for number of consecutive outs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type most critics would rank him among our best actors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rank

2 of 3

noun

ˈraŋk How to pronounce rank (audio)
1
as in ranking
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement attained the highest rank in the Freemasons

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in dignity
high position within society remembered as a woman of rank who socialized only with other members of the elite

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in row
a series of people or things arranged side by side rank upon rank of cavalry came thundering down the hill

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in category
usually ranks plural one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic this book will someday join the ranks of the world's great novels

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rank

3 of 3

adjective

1
as in rampant
growing thickly and vigorously covered with trumpet vines so rank you couldn't see the trellis beneath them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ripe
having an unpleasant smell smokes rank cigars that usually send me running for fresh air

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obvious
very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad the article about fairy tales was full of rank errors, such as a reference to "Cinderella biting into the poisoned apple"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in absolute
having no exceptions or restrictions a sidewalk sale of art works by rank amateurs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rank distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of rank are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, noisome, putrid, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

How do fusty and musty relate to one another, in the sense of rank?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.

a fusty attic
the musty odor of a damp cellar

When is malodorous a more appropriate choice than rank?

The synonyms malodorous and rank are sometimes interchangeable, but malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

In what contexts can noisome take the place of rank?

While the synonyms noisome and rank are close in meaning, noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

When might putrid be a better fit than rank?

Although the words putrid and rank have much in common, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

How are the words stinking and fetid related as synonyms of rank?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells
the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

How is the word rank distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of rank are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, noisome, putrid, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

How do fusty and musty relate to one another, in the sense of rank?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.

a fusty attic
the musty odor of a damp cellar

When is malodorous a more appropriate choice than rank?

The synonyms malodorous and rank are sometimes interchangeable, but malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

In what contexts can noisome take the place of rank?

While the synonyms noisome and rank are close in meaning, noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

When might putrid be a better fit than rank?

Although the words putrid and rank have much in common, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

How are the words stinking and fetid related as synonyms of rank?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells
the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

How is the word rank distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of rank are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, noisome, putrid, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

How do fusty and musty relate to one another, in the sense of rank?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.

a fusty attic
the musty odor of a damp cellar

When is malodorous a more appropriate choice than rank?

The synonyms malodorous and rank are sometimes interchangeable, but malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

In what contexts can noisome take the place of rank?

While the synonyms noisome and rank are close in meaning, noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

When might putrid be a better fit than rank?

Although the words putrid and rank have much in common, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

How are the words stinking and fetid related as synonyms of rank?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells
the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rank
Verb
The Broncos’ offensive line ranks near the top of the pack, and somehow the run game remains mediocre or, as in the case of a huge fourth down in the AFC Championship, unreliable. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026 The Mavericks have won just two of their last eight games, with an offense and defense that rank among the bottom of the NBA. —Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
Stordalen, who is based in Oslo, has led initiatives that include prioritizing in-person conversations and bringing psychologists into the company’s ranks. —Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2026 The Avalanche rank first with 93 points and the Wild are third with 84 points in the Western Conference. —Data Skrive, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Last year a rank Angus cow, unbranded, unclaimed, and unpredictable as a prairie fire, holed up in the slough. —Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 20 Nov. 2025 His Philly teams have never finished worse than 14th in total yardage, yet currently rank 23rd. —Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank
  1. be
  2. classify
  3. ranking
  4. dignity
  5. row
  6. category
  7. rampant
  8. ripe
Verb
  • So there is room to add more shifts.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Importantly, there was recently a big effort to de-fund Chandra, which would leave humanity without a flagship-class X-ray observatory of any type.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of be
Verb
  • The commander in chief has broad authority to personally classify or declassify documents as delegated by proper processes under Executive Order 13526, issued by Obama, said Liza Goitein, senior director of the Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Program.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Though classified as a software firm, Strategy has effectively transformed itself into a Bitcoin holding vehicle, financing large Bitcoin purchases through debt and equity issuance.
    — Mariana Trujillo, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of classify
Noun
  • Each writer’s personal ranking will appear in parentheses next to their name.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • In banked slalom, athletes get two individual runs down the course with their best time counting toward the final ranking.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Definition of ranking
Noun
  • His relatives are urging the college's Board of Trustees and administration to rescind the decision and allow McKinley to retire with dignity.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • There were also stories about Reinsdorf not being amused by the wise-cracking or esoteric commentary by Benetti during play-by-play, as if baseball were a deadly serious sport that should be treated with more dignity.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of dignity
Noun
  • Jarred Vanderbilt leaped into the laps of front-row fans.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The cliffside lodge offers a front row view of one of the most biologically rich places on the planet, UNESCO’s Vhembe Biosphere Reserve near South Africa’s border with Zimbabwe.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of row
Noun
  • As Lindo and Jordan were introducing the visual effects category, Scottish campaigner John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, blurted out the N-word.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • In fact, the Academy has nominated two women in this category only once in almost 100 years—Zhao for Nomadland and Emerald Fennell for Promising Young Woman, back in 2021.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of category
Adjective
  • Others are here because their parents are seeking refuge from countries where violence is rampant and children are at risk of being forced into drug cartels, human trafficking or worse.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Since 2022, when the state published its audit report, California's Department of Public Health has issued enforcement actions against seven hospice facilities statewide — despite the state auditor warning that fraud was rampant.
    — Graham Kates, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of rampant
Adjective
  • For cooks whose marmalade aspirations are more immediate, the time is also ripe for cooking with the jarred stuff, letting its bittersweet brightness chase winter away.
    — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Mash a ripe avocado directly onto the toast with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice and a pinch of flaky salt.
    — Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of ripe

Phrases Containing rank

Browse Nearby Words

ran into
rank
rank and file
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Cite this Entry

“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of rank for Spanish Speakers

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